His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on efforts exerted to press ahead with the peace process based on the two-state solution.

During the talks, the King highlighted the role Spain and the EU play in supporting Mideast peace and efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the different aspects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

King Abdullah also expressed Jordan's appreciation for Spain's role in supporting its talks with Paris Club to reduce the Kingdom's external debt through the debt purchase agreement signed with the group in March this year.

In terms of economic cooperation, the joint Jordanian-Spanish commercial exchange amounted to around $52 million during the first five months of this year, while Jordan's exports to Spain totalled around $18 million.

HRH Prince Hamzah, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi and Jordanian Ambassador to Spain Zeid Lozi attended the talks.

Later in the day, Spanish King Juan Carlos held a dinner banquet in honour of the King and Her Majesty Queen Rania, also attended by Prince Hamzah, Princess Noor and Spanish royal family members.

In an interview with Spanish El Pais daily, His Majesty said Israel has to decide whether it wants to keep its future as fortress Israel or if it wants to engage in the Muslim and Arab worlds.

He told the paper that the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed by Arab leaders in 2002 Beirut summit, provides a genuine opportunity for a peace settlement that guarantees the Palestinian people's right to an independent state and Israel acceptance by 57 states, or a third of UN member states.

While the Arab peace plan has been in place, “I have not heard of an Israeli peace plan,” the King said.

At the local level, King Abdullah said the Kingdom has achieved considerable progress in the socio-economic development process, especially in the fields of poverty fighting, job creation and strengthening the middle class.

After the official visit to Spain, the King is due to visit Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

King Abdullah will discuss with the leaders and officials of these countries the prospects of boosting bilateral relations, especially in the economic field.

Discussions will also address the latest political developments at the regional and international levels.